The NBA Play-in tournament for 8th seed is going to be tightly contested one, with 4 teams vying for those two spots in the NBA play-in tournament. Here we analyse their chances.
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A Play-in tournament to decide the 8th seed in the Western conference is confirmed. And 4 teams are now in the mix for two spots. While making it to the Play-in tournament itself would be a task, qualifying as the 8th seed for the play-in is going to be even tougher.
NBA Play in tournament rules
The 4 teams involved though would want to finish in 8th place, as according to the Play-in tournament rules, the 9th seed will have to beat the 8th seed in two consecutive head-to-head games in order to progress to the playoffs.
Also Read: NBA Play in tournament explained
Thus, even one win out of the two head-to-head games would help the 8th seed progress to the playoffs.
NBA Play-in tournament 8th seed
There are still 4 teams with a chance to earn the No. 8 seed for the right to face the No. 1 seeded Lakers in Round 1:
MEMPHIS;
PORTLAND(.5 games back);
SA SPURS (1);
PHX SUNS (1.5)
And after an action packed week , one thing is certain, we wil definitely be having a play-in mini tourney between 2 of those 4.
New Orleans were sadly eliminated w/a loss yesterday.
Let’s take a closer look at the remaining schedules of these four teams in contention –
Grizzlies: Celtics and Bucks (both are locked into their seeds in the East); and with the Grizzlies current form it seems really difficult they would be able to win any of those. Our prediction they would go winless in last two.
Blazers: Dallas and the surprising Brooklyn Nets (also locked in thier seed); and in both the games Lillard and Co. have the chance to snatch a victory. Our prediction is Portland might well win both of these and secure the play In eighth seed.
Spurs: Rockets and Utah Jazz (neither locked in); so on the onset this seems like one sided matchups but from what we know of Pop and his team is to never underestimate them. Rockets and Jazz haven’t locked in their final seeds too, so that will be at play as well. Our prediction is Spurs will one of them atleast.
Suns: 76ers and Dallas Mavericks; With Phoenix beating OKC today, they now move into a tie with San Antonio at 1 game back of Memphis for the No. 8 seed, and 0.5 games back of Portland for the No. 9 seed. This is a log jam! The Cinderella Suns are 6-0 and it looks like they may go 8-0 here. Our prediction is they win both the remaining games.
These teams barring Portland had no business to be in the mix at this stage. But yet here they are.
NBA Play in- Possible qualifying scenarios
Memphis gets a play In spot if they win or Suns / Spurs both lose
Portland clinches a play In spot if they win one or Suns / Spurs both lose
Phoenix is eliminated with a loss and a Portland win
San Antonio is eliminated with a loss and win either by Phoenix or Portland.
Exciting stuff !
Going into final week , Lakers would be the only team prepping to face two teams and given the kind of form some of these teams are, they would fancy Grizzlies finding their groove and conjure a win from somewhere.
